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After suffering our first defeat of the season in the previous week, the geese turned their attention to the County Junior Cup. The Geese were drawn to play away against Bennetts Hemel FC, who are in division three of the Reklaw Berkhamsted Sunday Football League.

Despite missing several key players in last weeks league fixture, Paul Cully was fortunate to have a full squad, with most players available for selection. However, son Matthew pulled out of the squad a few hours before the game, not feeling to well after his 21st Birthday Party Jamaican Rum rampage. The squad met early and were escorted by Steve Garvey (Turnford Geese Mini-Bus Transport) to Hemel Hempstead.

With a bad pitch and long grass, the Geese would have to work extra hard to regain the flowing, passing football witnessed in the first game of the season. But the tired-looking geese obviously hadn’t woken up. The opening 15 minutes consisted of poor passing and basic errors being made all over the pitch, whilst nearly conceding. To make things worse, centre-back Chris Wicks was forced to come off due to a hamstring strain. Richard Bates covered the hole with Brett Norris coming on at right midfield. Play finally started to improve, Paul Dodd had a few attempts on goal, pulling one shot wide and one being saved by the keepers impressive leg reflexes.

But it wasn’t good enough and the Geese were looking far from their best. It didn’t look too good for captain Neal Dodd either, who clashed heads with a Bennetts forward and seemed to be light-headed from then on. Before half-time Goalkeeper Rob Cully also managed to gain the title of “most disciplined player” by receiving a yellow card for using abusive language.

A half time talk by manager Paul Cully was quite blunt, our performance so far was embarrassing. We needed to improve. The second half began and things looked promising, with the Geese having a few chances, including a good free-kick from Simon Hoy. Bennetts Hemel were not really creating much. But they were proving to be hard to break down. The Geese lacked the clinical touch they possessed last season and were guilty of long-balls and poor crossing. A brave performance from Neal Dodd had to be cut short as the previous clash of heads had overcome him.

A scrappy defensive clearance then gave Bennetts Hemel a rare attack. The ball was fed into to the forward who controlled with his arm and then miss-hit a shot which looped into the top right hand corner past the Geese’s cautioned keeper. The plump red-headed referee unbelievably judged that the player did not handle the ball and the Geese were now trailing.

The last 10 minutes the Geese bombarded Bennetts Hemel with attacks. Shots were blocked off the line, headers went over, the Geese couldn’t score and it ended 1-0. Our hopeful targets for the County Cup this season had been destroyed. With rivals Cheshunt Athletic up next in the league, the Geese must ensure they make up for losing two games in a row. Pino Packer caught up with Matt Cully after the game;

“It was the Gin and Tonic, he stole my long throws Pino, he did it. Mr Rum helped him too, he carried the rope. Please make them go away.”

R Cully, C Norris, Cedrone, Wicks (B Norris), N Dodd (Vullo), Perry, Hoy, Enefer, Bates, P Dodd, Jordan

On the back of a six nil victory the week before, the Geese were in high spirits and ready for their next challenging league game against Hadley Green. But after losing players to calf strains, bruising, Spain, India, Cornwall and a School Disco, Manager Paul Cully was forced to make six changes.
With an ever-growing squad, this just meant that players were drafted in; however with no sign of a striker amongst the ranks, it was going to be tough.

The Geese started well, playing the ball around well and slotting three through balls between their oppositions back four, unfortunately a lack of clinical finishing and indecision between ref and lino, chances were non-existent.

When a dubious free-kick was given for handball on the edge of the Geese box, Hadley Green took the lead, rifling the shot past Rob Dodd. Worse news came when an un-cleared ball found its way to Hadley Green again; a cool finish meant their lead was doubled.
At half time the score-line remained 2-0, It was clear that work-rate and movement had to be increased to get anything from the game. James Wilcox was to make his debut replacing Brad Hewitt started at right-back. James Musk also made his first start of the season replacing Matt Cully who took a knock just before half-time. From kick-off the ball was played right, then down the wing finding another debutant Richard Bates whose fine cross was met by Peter Enefer who made it 2-1 with a powerful header.
But pressure mounted and most of the play was in the Geese’s half, chances came but a solid performance from Chris Wicks still gave the Geese hope, as did a number of saves from Rob Dodd, who managed to tip, smother, and parry a number of good attempts. With a certain lack of height in today’s line up it was two corners that were headed in to make the final score 4-1 to Hadley Green; a deserved victory. It can be said that the Geese didn’t click today, making so many changes, and with an obvious lack of fire power up front.
County Cup beckons next week, it will be a test of character to see if the Geese will bounce back. Pino Packer caught up with injured goalkeeper Rob Cully at the final whistle

“F**k off Pino, and you dad, and you Matt, I weren’t doing anything, alright. Matt, let f**king go of me, let go, oooooooh, Manilla Gorilla”

R Dodd, Hewitt (Wilcox), Wicks, Adamson, Vullo (C Belsey), Cedrone, Perry, Bates, Hully, M Cully (Musk), Enefer.

After a successful pre-season the Geese played their first league game this Sunday against Broxbourne Saints. After a heavy night on the lick, and sleep thou did lack, months in the waiting for this game, no-one wanted to disappoint. So despite it being Andy Perry’s 21st Birthday the eve before the gaggle were ready to play.

Headbands slowly diminished as kick off neared, just a Saints “huddle” was had before the ref blew his whistle. The Geese started at a high tempo, closing down their opposition and forcing errors. The deadlock was broken when Neal Dodd headed home a Brett Norris free-kick. The lead was then doubled when a long Matt Cully throw was met by Brett who lost his marker in the box. There was time for a third before half time when Brett Norris turned provider, heading on a poor goal kick to Paul Dodd who beat his man and drove in a low cross for debutant Daniel “Wanchope” Jordan to score his first for the Geese.

At the turn-around the Geese had to play into the wind, and in hope of making a comeback Broxbourne made changes in personnel. After soaking up some pressure in the early stages, the second half was orchestrated by Paul Dodd who hit a hat-trick, continuing his prolific form from last season. Jordan saw one of his strikes tipped onto the bar, and the Geese also had a penalty claim turned down.

The second half also saw Rob Dodd replace Rob Cully whose brave first half save left him unfit to carry on. Matt “No Deal” Hully also made his long-awaited debut, getting back to full fitness after a torrid time with injury. The game ended 6-0, Pino Packer caught up with top transfer target “Batesy” who watched the game from the stands.

“Yeh, it was a good solid performance and three points. It’s pleasing for me knowing that I’m very close to signing; it’s just a matter of agreeing personal terms. I have my medical Tuesday and if the deal goes through, I hope to be in the squad for next week.”

R Cully (R Dodd), M Cully, N Dodd, Wicks, Cedrone (Vullo), B Norris (Hully), Enefer, A Perry, Hoy, P Dodd, Jordan.